Ford V8 Question

[KeepTryin]

OK, my quest for a used 4x4 truck has accelerated again after being 3 hours late to work the other day due to snow. I've given up on finding anything practical (small) or buying new and plan on buying whatever used is out there. I'm seeing Ford V-8's around (amongst other things) and I am aware of the Triton Blowing Spark Plugs phenomenon. So, there's what... a 5.4 and a 6.0 in these things? Are they both Tritons? Will they always (as some seem to) say Triton on the side? I'll likely be buying whatever I end up with off a used lot in the area and obviously don't want to have to be in a position to believe a sales person... So what gives on these? Which to get/avoid? Do these all have tunneled-in plugs like a hemi or are some different? What do I look for?

On a related note, I'm seeing 2000ish Dodges fairly reasonable. My FIL has one that's like a 98 we drove all over Wisconsin deer hunting last week and he loves his... except for the time the headlight switch caught on fire... anything to be aware of on these?

Thanks
Tryin

[SHOOTALL]

We have ford 5.4 's with over 180000 miles on them . One is a f350 that carries a 12000lb load of tools and parts every day . We also have dodge hemis and they are up to 170000 miles or more . The dodges get better milage and have way more power . the 360 in a dodge has power but likes gas alot . The dodge V-10 is a horse of power but mine got 7mpg on the road . The new diesels seem to have problems alot and fuel millage stinks . My Dodge with 6.7 gets 17-18 mpg on the road . Its a 2500 . I drove a 2500 on a trip a few weeks ago with a hemi in it and it got 18.9 mpg .
 I have several of each in service and none have had plugs blow out . We use syn oil also .

[Drilling Man]

  I had a ford truck with the 5.7, and it was gas hog.  I had too many problems with the rest of the truck to keep it, but the biggest thing i hated about the 5.7 was the lack of decent gas milage.

  DM

[gypsyman]

According to a friend of mine, who works for a Ford dealership, that deal of blowing plugs was pretty much in the late '90's 5.4 engine. He's a parts manager, and although it happened, it wasn't as bad as what you might have read on the internet. I have a 2004 Ford van with 83,000 miles on it, and getting between 18 to 20 MPG with it. The engine is the 4.6, and the only complaint I have so far, is it needs a plug replacement, and the dealer I bought it from, and the one my friend works at, both quoted me $300+. Just because it's a van,(E-150), and it takes a special tool from Ford to change plugs.(I looked under the hood and the doghouse, and I can't even see the center 2 plugs on either side.) So I guess I'll bite the bullet and get it done, with the knowledge that it only has to be done every 75,000 to 80,000 miles. gypsyman

[30-30man]

The Fords have a stronger frame but they have a turd in the engine department.  Why they try to move such a heavy truck with such an underpowered motor is beyond me?  The newer f150s have a frame stronger than most 3/4 ton trucks a few years ago. The 5.4 Ford is a slug when loaded down. My brother in law owns a 2006 Triton 4x4 and it just doesn't have the power.   The Dodge 5.9 and 5.2 are good motors with lots of torque, but they are gas pigs and underpowered compared to the Hemi.   Try to find a 2003-2004 Dodge Hemi 4x4 before the MDS and don't look back. Also look for the manual transfer case as the electronic ones with the push buttons are not as reliable. The Hemi and the transmission it comes with are very reliable. They still have more power than most trucks on the road today.

[Basicguy]

I have an 05 E150 van with the 5.4 engine 2wd Gets between 14-18 mph unless I am hauling a trailer. Runs very good.

[Savage .250]

As far as the Dodge 4x4 goes. I had one .           Gas hog......... big time.     
    Talking about mine here,nobody elses.   

[SHOOTALL]

Savage.250 , you can talk about my 2001, Dodge 2500 w/360 and 4WD . on a great day (read 55mph on down hill run with wind to our back) it got 11-12 mpg. The Hemi's do better.

[30-30man]

I get 14-15mpg in town and 17+ on the highway with my 2004 dodge hemi 4x4.  I pulled a 7000+lb 30ft camper to the mountains the other week and averaged 9.3mpg.  You couldn't ask any better fron a gas powered truck.

[Graybeard]

Dunno about that my Toyota gets 17+ in normal around town and back and forth to town driving and over 20+ in highway driving. I've really never pulled a load behind it as I don't do trailers but we had it loaded mighty heavy on our trip to OK back in June and it averaged well above 20 all the way there and back in about 3000 miles of combined highway, interstate, town and country roads and off road driving.

It's got a 381 HP V8 in it.

[Empty Quiver]

My opinion, the 5.4 is a very adequite engine, for a half ton truck doing half ton work once in a while. If you haul around a full payload or tow much of the time its not enough engine. Having said that, finding one that is properly geared does help a bunch. The triton has evolved over the years early ones are less desireable than new. Things like coil over plugs, and three valve heads are some of the main improvements. I feel it is worth the effort to have a really good mechanic who is familiar with Al. heads change the plugs. if the last plugs were backyard jobs with no anti sieze put on the threads... well, good luck.

Look for a well maintained truck of any make and you will be all right. The best vehicle made will not tolerate miss use forever, and will typically cost more to repair when the time comes.